I have many
supports in my daily life that allow me to get through my days. The first and foremost support that I
receive daily is from God. I rely
heavily on my belief in God to give me the emotional supports I need. My husband and family are all available to me
whenever I need to talk with someone. In
my work, I rely heavily on my cell phone, I keep all of my consultation
appointments, trainings, meetings, etc. on the calendar. I use my phone to give me directions to the
various locations of my visits, this is an imperative tool for my ability to
perform my job. My phone also allows me
to access my e-mail while traveling on the road. My car is the other tool I count on for
support in doing my job, it allows me to travel throughout the 3 county area I
work in.
My
support from God and my family will always be there so I have no fear of losing
those supports, which is good because without my family life wouldn’t be worth
living. When I think about the work
supports my phone offers me, I can tell you that a little over a year ago, I
still didn’t have a smart phone and could not access the internet. It was so hard to be able to stay in
communication with my regional office and other emails. It caused me to miss time sensitive
emails. I had to carry my laptop, my
gps, and my paper calendar to replace everything the phone that I have now can
do.
If
I had physical disability, such as being wheel chair bound, there would be many
impediments that would be a constant challenge.
Any type of stairs or elevated surface would unmanageable unless there
was a ramp or an elevator. Toilets would
need to be higher and have grab bars as well as enough room to maneuver my
wheel chair around. If I had the use of my hands and arms but not my legs, then
hand-controls installed in the car would be a support. Any vehicle I would
drive would need to be equipped with a wheel chair lift. I would not be able to do the job I am doing
right now because of all the home programs I have to visit and they do not have
ramps or elevators. Doorways in most homes would not be wide enough; the
counter height would be too high for me to reach so adjusting the door width
and counter heights would be a support. It is really scary to think how hard it
would be to go anywhere these days if there were not a law requiring equal
access.
Technology has definitely become a major support for most people's lives. It is crazy to think that my generation was the last generation of children to be born into a world without the internet. Now children as young as one watch movies on tablets, and children just a little bit older play games and use learning resources that require internet access. It is even crazier to think that there are many people still that do not have access to this support, and it makes you wonder how we can rely so heavily on something and consider it pertinent to our lives and existence when it is not a support available to everyone.
ReplyDeleteI also depend on technology to get through my day. Sometimes I feel people take technology for granted and become very dependent on it, but I do feel that we can adjust if something comes up. I enjoyed reading your scenario if you were to become disabled. Often times, I do not think of "what if" I became disabled to not live a typical lifestyle. I remember in one of my undergraduate college classes, we had to go around the campus in a wheelchair to figure out if our campus was handicapped accessible. We also had to reflect on our experience. I know I definitely had my eyes opened!
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that there are so many of us that acknowledge God in our lives as a support that we need to have sustainability in life. I also, over time, have relied upon technology carry out daily tasks. I am finding it more easier and convenient to use my cell phone access my schedule, be an alarm, timer, check emails, etc.
ReplyDeleteI am happy to see that like me you named God as one of your supporters this makes me happy. I think that this day in time often people look to other things and not give God the credit that he deserves. That is just my opinion, please do not take that as me judging anyone. My car and my cell phone are two supporters that I could add to my list because without either of then I would be miserable. I enjoyed your blog by the way.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jewel, I appreciate the feedback. Yes, it was nice to see so many putting God first in their supports. He is so important to living a contented life.
DeleteI also rely heavily on my cell phone. I use it mostly to keep communication between myself and the mom of the child I work with.
ReplyDeleteHaving a strong support system is very important and it is great that you have a great support system. I love that you mentioned God as one of your supports. I think that faith is a great support system and I do not know why that did not cross my mind. I also found it strange that you described your phone as a support because it is very true for most people but i would have never thought of it it that way. Thanks for sharing and I really enjoyed your post.
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